Welcome to the underground. Welcome to a place where you take the red and blue pill (Ala the Matrix), a place where minimalist is more, a place where sneakers are not frowned upon, a place where dance music is taken to new heights (or lows). Welcome to Ambar.

A late night club to the east of Perth’s CBD, this place is not for the faint of heart. It resides, down a seedy laneway and hollowed out under an unsuspected building with only a bouncer and open door alerting you of its presence. It’s simple, like a cave furnished with sitting, dancing, drinking and snooker facilities. Ambient yellow and red light and pictures of night animals on the wall set the mood here, a mood which I’m still trying to comprehend…

The music is dirty and stays true to the underground nature of Ambar. Anything from techno, electro, house and prog house will be heard in this rabbit hole, a niche playlist to say the least. I love the odd and dark side of dance so I love Ambar but if you’re into top 40 hits, steer clear.

If you want to join a discernable crowd, drink the finest drinks and discuss the current political climate of the Republic of Congo, Ambar should be last on your list. Here you’ll find a crowd with music, alcohol and pharmaceuticals on their mind. Pheromones are high and aggression is minimal (but there’s always a few clowns) and dance floor antics are encouraged. Everyone is fresh out of being 18 and are on the road to the high 20’s. Rat tails and skate shoes will ensure you will look out of place (and maybe not even get in).

Drinks are reasonable with beers being around the $7 mark and spirits $8 and above. A cover charge is probably the worst thing about this place because at times it’s a bit hefty (depending on who’s DJing on the night – $10 and above). However, once your inside you can soak up the sheer energy this place has to offer, it’s small and hot and you can’t help but to get out on the dance floor and embarrass yourself.

Everyone is wild here and out for a late night and early morning. Like I said, I love this place because it caters for my taste in music, but it is a specific taste and if you’re looking for a club to dance to the radio in -stay in Northbridge. If you love the unexplored areas of dance, come here. This music was intended to be played in a surrounding like Ambar and I for one am stoked that Perth has it.

Next time it’s late and you’re in Perth looking for something to do, give Ambar a go and expand your musical palette.

By Hamish Hastie